Packer



Sept. 27, 1938. (.7. s. CRICKMER 2,131,274

PACKER I Filed July 24, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 0947? C'f/A/ZLEJ Sam/wee w W M Sept. 27, 1938. c. s. CRICKMER I 2,131,274

PACKER Filed July 24, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 LV- M Cane/.55 15f Caz/wee Gamma/l4 Sept. 27, 1938. c s c c 2,131,274

PACKER Filed July 24, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 27, 1938 PATENT OFFICE PACKER Charles S. Crickmer, Dallas, Tex, assignor to Merla Tool Company, Dallas, Tex, a firm Application July 24, 1936, Serial No. 92,428

8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in packers.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved packer particularly adapted for use in a well casing.

An important. object of the invention is to provide an improved well packer having means at its upper end for controlling the flow of well fluid through said packer, said means being so arranged as to positively prevent the flow therethrough when the packer is in a set position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved well packer having means for bypassing well fluid therethrough, with a double seal for closing the flow therethrough, whereby all danger of leakage is eliminated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an annular valve at the upper end of a well packer for controlling the flow of fluid through the packer, and a sliding member arranged to further seal the valve opening, whereby when the packer is in a set position, a positive seal preventing fluid from flowing through the packer is had. i

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved well packer which is constructed of a minimum number of parts and which may be readily lowered into a well casing and set at any position therein, and, which will form a fluid tight seal; said packer also being arranged to be quickly removed from said casing.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation, and partly in section and showing the upper portion of a well packer, constructed in accordance with the invention, disposed within a well casing, the 45 packing element being in its normal position,

Figure 2 is a view partly in elevation, and

partly in section and is a continuation of the parts shown in Figure 1, and showing the lower end of the packer,

0 Figure 3 is a; view similar to Figure 1 and showing the packing element in its distorted position,

Figure 4 is a continuation of Figure 3, showing the lower portion of the device,

Figure 5 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1,

Figure 7 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 1, and

Figure 8 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view 6 taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 1.

In the drawings, the numeral ill designates an elongate tubular mandrel which is provided with suitable screw threads II at its upper end. The lower end of the mandrel is provided with similar 10 threads l2 and radial guide wings l3 are preferably formed integral with the lower end of said mandrel, being located just above the threads It. The upper end of the mandrel is threaded into an elongate coupling collar M which hasfthe upper end of its bore internally threaded at l5, whereby said collar may be connected to the tubing (not shown). The provision of the threads l2 at the lower end of the mandrel permits said mandrel to be readily connected at any point in 20 the well tubing.

The coupling collar i4 is enlarged at its lower end and this enlarged portion is provided with a depending annular skirt i6, as is clearly shown in Figure 1. The inner diameter or bore ll of 25 said skirt is greater than the outer diameter of the mandrel l0, whereby an annular space I8 is formed between the skirt and mandrel. The-extreme lower end of the skirt I6 is bevelled at I! to form a seating surface.

An elongate sleeve 20 surrounds the mandrel Ill and has an inner diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the mandrel l0, whereby an annular space or passage 2| is formed between the mandrel and sleeve. The extreme upper end of the sleeve is formed with inwardly extending lugs or webs 22 which engage the surface of the mandrel and serve to axially align said mandrel with the sleeve. The lower end of the sleeve is externally screw threaded to receive the upper end of a slip supporting cone 23, which cone is normally supported on a recovery ring it shown in Figure 1, surrounds the sleeve 20, The

upper end of the packing element is engaged by a suitable flanged cap 26 and thus, it will be seen that the packing element 25 is confined on the sleeve 20 between the cone and the cap. The cap is formed with an internal annular shoulder 21 which is arranged to be engaged by an outwardly directed annular flange 28 which is formed at the extreme upper end of the sleeve 29. The engagement of the flange with the shoulder occurs when the packing element 25 is in its normal or unexpanded position as shown in Figure 1. The flange and shoulder serve to limit the movement of the sleeve 20 with relation to the packing element 25, as will be hereinafter explained.

The cap 26 is provided with a bore 29 which bore has a diameter equal to the bore ll of the skirt IS. The upper end of the cap is provided with an annular bevel 30 which forms a valve seat, and this bevel is inclined at the same angle as the bevel l9 formed on the underside of the skirt l6.

The cone 23 which is threaded on the lower end of the sleeve 20 has an axial bore 23 through which the mandrel extends. The upper end of this bore is enlarged at 3| whereby an internal shoulder 32 is formed within the cone. It is noted that the enlargement of the bore 3| is of such size that this enlarged portion of the bore forms a continuation of the vertical annular space 2| which is provided between the mandrel Ill and the sleeve 20. Above the shoulder 32, the cone is provided with a plurality of radial ports or openings 33, whereby communication is established between the interior of the well casing A and the vertical space 2|. Therefore, it will be seen that when the skirt I6 is lifted so that its bevel I9 is not engaging the annular seat 30 of the cap 26, fluid may flow from the well casing, through the port 33, an-

nular space 2|, and then outwardly through the space between the cap 26 and thimble l6. With this arrangement it will be seen that the fluid may bypass the packing element 25 by passing through the body of the well packer.

For setting the device within the well casing A, a plurality of gripping slips 34 are slidable on the surface of the cone 23. Any desired number of slips may be provided and each slip is carried by a supporting member 35 which has its upper end engaged in a recess 34' formed in the rear face of the slip. This upper end of the supporting member 35 is pivotally secured to the slip by a pin 36. The supporting member extends downwardly from the slip and is pivoted on a pin 31 which is located within a slot 38 formed in the upper end of an elongate sleeve 39 which sleeve is separate from the cone 23 and is slidable on the mandrel. From the pin 31, the member 35 is continued downwardly and is curved outwardly so as to engage the inner wall of the well casing A. The extreme lower end of the member 35 is confined within a slot 40 provided in an annular flange 4| at the lower end of the sleeve 39. The member 35 is preferably constructed of a section of fiat spring metal, whereby the inherent resiliency or tension of the member will hold the curved portion in frictional contact with the well casing at all times. In this manner, it is possible to form the slip supporting member of a single piece and the lower end of the slip supporting member is thus utilized as a friction spring.

For connecting the sleeve 39 with the mandrel l0, whereby said mandrel and sleeve will move simultaneously, said sleeve is provided with a J-slot 42 (Figure 2). A radial pin 43 extends outwardly from the mandrel I9 and is arranged to engage within the slot 42. The pin is engaged in the horizontal leg 42 of the J-slot, and the sleeve is in such position with relation to the cone 23, that the slips 34 are held in their lowermost position on said cone as shown in, Figure 1. In this position, the slips are retracted from the wall of the well casing A.

In the operation of the device the well tubing (not shown) or any other suitable lowering tool is connected to the collar l4. The cone 23, packing element 25 and cap 26 are, of course, supported on the recovery ring l0 which is provided on the mandrel Ill. The slips are, of course, held in their retracted position by the sleeve connected thereto by the members 35 and the sleeve is, in turn, connected to the mandrel by the engagement of the radial pin 43 in the J slot -42. Since the mandrel is supported from its upper end it will be obvious that the skirt I6 will be in the position shown in Figure 1, that is, separated from the annular seat 30 on the upper end of the cap 26. Thus, as the device is being lowered into the well, the well fluid within the casing may enter the radial ports 23 in the cone, pass upwardly through the annular space. 2| between the mandrel and the sleeve 20 and then outwardly between the thimble and the cap. In this way there is practically no resistance offered by the well fluid as the device is lowered into the well casing A.

When the point at which it is desired to set the packer is reached, it is only necessary to rotate the mandrel in a counter-clockwise direction so that the pin 43 on the mandrel will ride out of the horizontal leg 42 of the J-slot 42 and into alignment with the vertical leg thereof. When this occurs, a continued lowering of the mandrel will cause the pin to ride downwardly through the vertical leg of the J-slot. At this time the sleeve 39, as well as the slips 34 which are fastened thereto by means of the members 35 is held stationary by the friction springs formed by the lower end of said members 35. Therefore, as the mandrel, and cone, packing element and cap carried thereby, move downwardly with relation to the sleeve 39 and slip 34, it will be obvious that the slip will be moved upwardly with relation to the cone 23. Continued downward movement of the cone through the slips causes a radial expansion of said slips, whereby the slips are moved into engagement with the inner wall of the well casing A.

When the slips move into their gripping position (Figure 3) it will be obvious that further downward movement of the cone will be prevented. Similarly, further downward movement of the packing element 25 and cap 26 is also prevented, as is the downward movement of the sleeve 20. Therefore, a continued downward movement of the mandrel will cause the recovery ring ID to move away from the lower end of the cone 23. At the same time the skirt l6 which is an integral part of the coupling collar |4 attached to the upper end of the mandrel, also moves downwardly so that the bevel |9 at the underside of said skirt moves into engagement with the annular bevel seat 30 of the cap 26. When this occurs the flow of fluid through the packer is cut oil.

Continued downward movement of the mandrel causes the cap 26 to be moved downwardly and since the cone 23 is being held stationary by the slips 34, the packing element 25 will be distorted radially into engagement with the wall of the well casing. At the same timethat the packing element is being expanded, the sleeve 20 which is secured to the cone 23 remains stationary and, therefore, the upper end of the sleeve 29 moves into the bore ll of the skirt l6. At this time the outer periphery of the annular flange 28 at the upper end of the sleeve engages the inner wall or bore of the skirt. By the time the packing element is fully distorted into its proper packing position, the upper end of the sleeve 20 has moved a substantial distance within the skirt, as is clearly shown in Figure 3. When the parts have assumed this position the packer is in its set position and at this time it will be obvious that the engagement of the bevel I9 of the skirt IS with the seat of the cap 26 will close the fluid opening which permits by-passing of the fluid through the packer. It has been found that in using a bevelled seat as that shown at the upper end of the cap 26, that extraneous matter and abrasive material present in the oil, such as sand will accumulate on the seat so. Therefore, when the skirt It moves downwardly to engage the seat such sand and other extraneous matter will prevent a positive closing of the fluid opening. This would permit a leakage of the fluid through the packer. The possibility of leakage past the seated valve is obviated in the device shown in the drawingsby the movement of the upper end of the sleeve 26 into the skirt l6. It will be obvious by observing Figure 3 that should a leakage occur at the point where the bevel I9 engages the seat 30 then the fluid would be trapped around the upper end of the sleeve 20,

because the fluid could not pass between the outer periphery of the external flange 29 on thesleeve, which flange is engaging the bore ll of the skirt l6. Therefore, a double valve is provided at the upper end of the packer and positively prevents any leakage of fluid after the packer has been set. I

Another feature of the sleeve 20 which moves upwardly within the skirt I6 is that when the valve is first being opened at the time that the packer is ready to be removed from the well, the high velocity created by the cracking of the valve is eliminated. When the mandrel l0 and collar H attached to its upper end are first raised in removing the packer from the well casing A, it is obvious that the cone still remains stationary. Therefore, the collar I 4, skirt l6 and mandrel Ht begin an upward movement. At this time, the cap 26 remains stationary within the well casing because the packing element 25 after having been set for some time, adheres or sticks to the wall of the casing A. Therefore, upon initial upward movement of the collar l4 and mandrel ID, the bevelled lower end IQ of the skirt It will move upwardly away from the bevelled seat 30, whereby a small space is provided between the seat and the bevel Is. As soon as the skirt leaves said seat, the fluid above the packing element will tend. to flow downwardly between the space thus formed above the seat. It is obvious that upon initial movement of the collar or raising of the seat this opening is comparatively small and, therefore, the velocity of the fluid flowing over the valve seat 30 is comparatively great. However, as the skirt IE is raised from the seat 30, it will be seen that said skirt must travel a predetermined distance before said skirt moves above the upper end of the sleeve 20 which is engaging within the bore I! of said skirt. Therefore, as the skirt flrst moves upwardly, the upper end of the sleeve 20 remains within the bore of said skirt and, therefore, the fluid cannot enter the annular space 2| formed between the sleeve 20 and the mandrel l0 and as the skirt Hi is being separated from the seat 30, the upper end of the sleeve serves to cut oil the flow of fluid from above the packing element 25. Therefore, until such time as the skirt has been raised to provide an increased opening, the sleeve 20 prevents a flow through the packer. By the time the skirt has been raised sufliciently to remove the upper endof the sleeve 20 from within said skirt, the opening between the skirt and the seat 30 issuch that the fluid flowing therethrough will not be pinched, and thus the velocity of said fluid is not sufflcient to cut out or otherwise damage the valve seat.

After the valve has been opened, a continued upward movement of the mandrel I 0 will cause the recovery ring I 0' to strike the lower end of the cone and move said cone upwardly from between the slips 34. When this occurs, the spring member 35 will, of course, immediately return the slips 34 to their original position at the lower end of the cone. In this manner the device may be readily removed from the well casing. It is noted that the sleeve 20 is an important part of the invention for it not only provides a double seal at the upper end of the device, whereby a leakage of fluid through the packer is prevented when said packer is in a set position, but it also prevents a velocity of fluid being built up upon .removal of the packer from the well casing.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters- Patent, is:

1. A well packer including, a support having a fluid passage therethrough, a packing element mounted on said support, a valve seat above said element, a valve carried by the support and adapted to engage the seat being normally in an open position to permit flow of fluid through the packer, means for distorting the packing element into its packing position, means for closing the valve above said element to cut off the flow of fluid through the support when the packing element is set, and means confined by the packing element and movable with relation thereto for sealing the point of intersection of the valve and seat.

2. A well packer including, a support having a fluid passage therethrough, a packing element mounted on said support, a valve seat above said element, a valve carried by the support and adapted to engage the seat being normally in an open position to permit flow of fluid through the packer, means for distorting the packing element into its packing position, means for closing the valve above said element to cut oil the flow of fluid through the support when the packing element is set, means for releasing the packing element from its set position to permit removal from the well, means for opening the valve above the element upon initial upward movement of the support, and means adjacent the valve seat and movable with relation to said seat for preventing a flow through the valve until said valve has opened a. predetermined distance.

3. A well packer including, a. support having a. fluid passage therethrough, a packing element mounted on said support, a valve seat above said element, a valve carried by the support and adapted to engage the seat being normally in an open position to permit flow of fluidthrough V the packer, means for distorting the packing element into its packing position, means for closing the valve above said element to cut oil the flow of fluid through the support when the packing element is set, means for sealing the point of intersection of the valve and seat, means for releasing the packing element from its set position to permit removal from the well, means for opening the valve above the element upon initial upward movement of the support, and means adjacent the valve seat and movable with relation to said seat for preventing a flow through the valve until said valve has opened a predetermined distance.

4. A well packer adapted to be lowered into a. well casing including, a supporting mandrel, a sleeve surrounding the support and having a greater diameter than the mandrel whereby an annular fluid passage is formed therebetween, a packing element surrounding the sleeve and slidable with relation thereto, means on the mandrel for supporting the element, a cap engaging the upper end of the packing element and also slidable with relation to the sleeve, a valve seat at the upper end of the cap, an annular valve carried by the mandrel for engaging the valve seat to close the annular flow space formed between the support and sleeve, and means for preventing downward movement of the packing element to permit the weight of the support to be placed on the element through the annular valve engaging the cap, whereby said element is distorted, the downward movement of the support, cap and valve due to the distortion of packing element causing said cap and valve to move downwardly around the upper end of the sleeve, whereby the sleeve overlaps the intersection of the valve and seat to provide a further seal against leakage.

5. A well packer adapted to be lowered into a well casing including, a support, a sleeve surrounding the support and having a greater diameter than the support whereby an annular fluid passage is formed therebetween, a packing element surrounding the sleeve and slidable with relation thereto, means on the support for supporting the element, a cap engaging the upper end of the packing element and also slidable with relation to the sleeve, a valve seat at the upper end of the cap, an annular valve carried by the support for engaging the valve seat to close the annular flow space formed between the support and sleeve, and means for preventing downsleeve being such that upon upward movement of the support, the valve is raised from'its seat a comparatively large distance before said valve moves above the sleeve, whereby the damage to the valve or seat due to fluid velocity is obviated.

6. A well packer including, a support, a packing element mounted on said support, means for by-passing fluid through the support around said packing element, means for distorting the packing element into packing position, means for closing the by-pass when said packing element is set, and auxiliary means for sealing the by -pass opening when the same is in a closed position.

7. A well packer including, a support, a packing element mounted on said support, means for by-passing fluid through the support around said packing element, means for distorting the packing element into packing position, a valve above the packing element for closing the by-pass when said packing element is set, and additional means adjacent the valve for preventing leakage thereby when the same is in a closed'position.

8. A well packer including, a sleeve having a by-pass therethrough, a deformable packing mounted on said sleeve, a collar having a seat slidably mounted on said sleeve and resting upon said packing, a closure having a bore and a face fore engaging the seat of the collar to depress said collar and expand the packing, whereby the sleeve telescopes the bore of the closure, and a flange on the sleeve engaged by the collar to limit the return movement of said collar when the closure is removed.

- CHARLES S. CRICKMER. 

